Holder for fluorescent lamps and the like



Nov. 22, 1966 J. LAURENZO HOLDER FOR FLUORESCENT LAMPS AND THE LIKE Filed May 11, 1964 Inventor, John Laureizzo,

1/ Azgg/s.

United States Patent 3,287,688 HOLDER FOR FLUORESCENT LAMPS AND THE LIKE John Laurenzo, Cranston, R.I., assignor to Super Products Co.., Providence, R.I., a corporation of Rhode Island Filed May 11, 1964, Ser. No. 366,258 Claims. (Cl. 339-56) The present invention relates to a holder for fluorescent lamps and the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to a resiliently biased holder for mounting a fluorescent lamp in a lamp fixture.

The fluorescent lamp holder embodied in the present invention has particular application for use with fluorescent lamps having strip terminals that project from the outer ends thereof. In order to mount this type of fluorescent lamp in place in a lamp fixture, at least one spring mounted lamp holder is required so that the lamp may be properly positioned with the necessary electrical interconnection between the lamp terminals and the contacts in the lamp holder. For this purpose the lamp holder of the present invention includes a holder element that is formed with a body portion to which an enlarged flange portion is integrally joined at one end thereof. The body portion is shaped and proportioned for slidably interfitting in an opening that is formed in the lamp fixture bracket, and in order to secure the holder element within the opening of the bracket, a unique clip assembly'is provided and is fixed to the outer end of the body portion. The clip assembly includes a housing in which opposed clip fingers are located, the clip fingers having outer ends that enable the body portion to be inserted within the opening in the bracket but that inhibit thewithdrawal therefrom. A tension spring is disposed in the housing in which the clip fingers are located and urge the clip fingers to the outer position, whereupon after insertion of the clip fiingers through the opening in the bracket, the clip fingers are urged outwardly by the tension spring in a transverse direction to lock the holder element in place on the fixture bracket.

- It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a holder for mounting a fluorescent lamp on a lamp fixture that includes a clip assembly having transversely movable clip fingers for securing the holder in position on the fixture.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mounting clip assembly for use in a fluorescent lamp holder that includes spring urged clip fingers that project outwardly of the clip assembly housing and in a direction that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the holder element on which the clip assembly is mounted.

Still another object is to provide a mounting clip assembly for use in a fluorescent lamp holder that includes a housing having openings formed therein, clip fingers being disposed in the housing for movement therein and including detents that project into the openings, wherein the limit of movement of clip fingers are defined by the engagement of the detents with the outer ends of the openings.

Still another object is to provide a housing for a clip assembly that is used in a fluorescent lamp holder, wherein the housing is disposed in a recess that extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the holder.

Still another object is to provide a fluorescent lamp holder that may be inserted in place in a bracket without the requirement of mounting screws, retainer clips or spring clips and the like. I

3,287,688 Patented Nov. 22, 1966 Still another object is to provide a fluorescent lamp holder that is relatively simple in construction and that is inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated by me for carrying out my invention:

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of the lamp holder embodied in the present invention, a fluorescent lamp being shown mounted in place in the holder;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the construction illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG, 4 is a perspective view of the cover of the clip assembly housing embodied in the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of one of the clip fingers of the clip assembly; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view with portions broken away of the housing for the clip assembly.

Referring now to the drawing and particularly to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the lamp holder embodied in the present invention is illustrated and includes an L-shaped bracket 10, a plate 12 being formed as part of the bracket 10 and having an opening 14 for-med therein. A holder element generally indicated at 16 is adapted to be secured to the plate 12 of the bracket 10 is constructed for locating a fluorescent lamp indicated at 18 in mounted position. The lamp 18 is of the rapid-start type that does not require starters and thus is formed with a terminal plug 19 through which terminal strips indicated at 20 and 22 extend. It is understood that the construction of the lamp 18 per se is well known in the art and thus forms no part of the present invention.

The lamp 18, as shown, is mounted in the holder element 16 at one end thereof, it being further understood that the other end of the lamp 18 may be mounted in a similar manner if it is so required. However, in the normal use of such fluorescent lamps as illustrated herein, the

end of the lamp opposite to that shown in the drawing, is mounted in a fixed holder, the fixed holder being prevented from movement in a longitudinal direction as con trasted with the holder element 16 to be described hereinafter.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 3, the holder element 16 is shown including a body portion 24 to which a relatively enlarged flange portion 26 is integrally joined. Formed in the flange portion 26 and extending into the body portion 24 is a central recess 28 that receives the terminal plug 18 of the lamp through which the terminal strips 20, 22 extend. A chamber 30 is formed in the body portion 24 and is spaced from the recess 28 by a partition 32, a spacer element 34 being joined to the partition 32 and extending outwardly 'with respect thereto. Convenient openings are formed in the partition 32 through which contact elements 36 and 28 project, the contact elements being joined to electrical wire leads 40 and 42 in any suitable manner. It is seen that the recess 28 receives the terminal plug 19 of the lamp 18 through which the terminal strips 20, 22 extend, the strips 20, 22 being forced into electrical contact with the contact elements 36 and 38 when the lamp 18 is mounted in the position of use as illustrated in FIG. 3.

Prior to the mounting of the lamp 18 in the position of use thereof, as seen in FIGS. 1 :and 3, it is first necessary to locate the holder element 16 in the assembled position on the bracket 10. For this purpose, the outer end of the body portion 24 of the holder element is formed with a recess 44 that extends transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the holder element 16. Located in the recess 44 is a clip assembly generally indicated at 46, that is adapted to lock the holder element 16 to the bracket when the body portion 24 of the holder element is inserted through the opening 14 of the plate 12. In this connection it will be noted in FIG. 2, that the opening 14 is formed with a fiat side indicated at 48, the body portion 16 also being formed with a corresponding fiat side 50. It is seen that the holder element 16 can be inserted through the opening 14 only if the fiat sides 48 and 50 are aligned. Since the opening 14 is dimensioned so as to snugly receive the body portion 24, the holder element 16 will be located in oriented relation when it is inserted through the opening 14.

Referring now to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the clip assembly 46 is shown including a clip housing generally indicated at 52. The clip housing 52 is stamped and formed from a metal material and as shown comprises a bottom wall 54 in which spaced slots 56 and 58 are formed. Joined to the bottom wall are side walls 60 and 62 which extend in a direction generally perpendicular with respect thereto. The side wall 60 is provided With spaced lugs 64 and 66 that project upwardly therefrom, while the side wall 62 is provided with similar upwardly projecting spaced lugs 68 and '70. As will be described, the spaced lugs 64, 66 and 68, 70 are adapted to be folded inwardly to lock a cover for the housing in place. Referring to FIG. 4, a cover that is adapted to be placed over the upper edges of the side walls 60 and 62 is illustrated and is generally indicated at 72. The cover 72 includes a plate 73 in which opposed notches 74 and 76 are formed for accomodating the lugs 66 and 70 respectively. Opposed notches are also formed in the plate 73 adjacent an end thereof and accommodate the lugs 64 and 68 therein. Joined to the plate 73 of the cover 72 are oppositely extending cars 82 and 84, in which holes 86 and 88 re spectively are formed. As further shown in FIG. 4, dedending portions 90 and 92 are joined to the plate 73 at opposed ends thereof and define stops, the purpose of which will be described hereinafter.

In order to lock the holder element 16 in the opening 14 of the plate 12, the clip assembly 46 is provided with clip fingers generally indicated at 94 and 95 in FIG. 1. Since the clip fingers 94 and 95 are constructed identically, reference herein is made only to the clip finger 94 which is illustrated in detail in FIG. 5. As shown, the clip finger 94 is formed with a main wall 96 to which side walls 98 and 100 are joined. The side walls 98 and 100 are foreshortened with respect to the length of the main wall 96, but have projections 102 and 104 extending rearwardly with respect thereto. Opposed grooves 106 are formed in the projections 102, 104 and are provided for receiving the ends of a tension spring 108 illustrated in FIG. 1. The forward portions of the side walls 98 and 100 are angled or inclined as indicated at 110 and 112 respectively, the inclined portions 110, 112 providing for insertion of the clip fingers 94, 95 through the opening 14, as will be described. As further shown in FIG. 5, the main wall 96 of the clip finger 94 has struck out therefrom, a detent 114 that projects downwardly with respect to the main wall 96.

In the assembled position of the clip fingers 94 and 95, the inclined portions 110, 112 project outwardly of the housing 52 as shown in FIG. 1. The tension spring 108 is interposed between the clip fingers in the housing 52 and is secured thereto by engagement of the spring ends with the grooves 106 of the projections 102, 104. The detent 114 of each clip finger extends into the appropriate notches 56 or 58 that are formed in the bottom wall 54 of the clip assembly housing 52. In order to lock the clip fingers 94, 95 within the housing, as shown in FIG. 1, the cover 72 is placed on the upper edges of the housing side walls 60, 62, and the lugs 64, 66 and 68, 70 are turned over into the adjacent notches 78, and 74, 76 respectively. The depending portions 90, 92 project toward the bottom wall 54 of the housing 52 and define stops for abutments or shoulders 116 and 118 that are formed on the side walls 98 and 100 respectively of the clip fingers. It is seen that the outward travel of the clip fingers 94, 95 is limited by the length of the slots 56, 58 and the engagement of the detents 114 with the ends thereof. Furthermore, the outer movement of the clip fingers is limited by engagement of the shoulders 116, 118 with the depending portions 90, 92. It is understood that the tension spring 108 normally urges the clip fingers 94, 95 to the outer positions thereof as shown in FIG. 1.

In order to secure the clip assembly 46 in position, screws 120 are provided and extend through the holes 86, 88 formed in the cars 82, 84 respectively of the cover 72. The screws 120 further extend into threaded openings formed in the body portion 24 and adjacent the chamber 30, and since the cover 72 is fixed to the housing 52 the clip assembly 46 is locked firmly in position within the transverse recess 44. In the assembled position of the clip assembly 46, the clip fingers 94, 95 are normally located at the outer end of the body portion 24 for movement in a direction that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the body portion and holder element. It is seen that the clip fingers 94, 95 will be retracted within the housing 52 as the inclined portions engage the edges of the opening 14 when the body portion 24 is inserted through the opening 14 in the plate 12.

Disposed about the body portion 24 in enveloping relation is a coil spring 122 that is provided for resiliently mounting the holder element 16 in place on the bracket 10. Thus, by means of the coil spring 122, the holder element 16 may be moved in an axial direction so as to provide for mounting of the lamp 18 in the holder element 16. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the coil spring 122 is located between the inner surface of the flange 26 and the plate 12 of the bracket 10. The coil spring 122 thus urges the holder element 16 in a direction toward the the right as seen in FIGS. 1 and 3. As will now be described, the clip assembly 46 cooperates with the spring 122 to resiliently lock the holder element in position in the bracket 10.

In the assembly of the holder element 16 to the bracket 10, the body portion 24 is inserted into the opening 14 of the plate 12. It will be noted that the inclination of the angled portions 110 and 112 of the outwardly extending clip fingers 94 and 95 are such as to enable the clip fingers 94 and 95 to be depressed inwardly against the action of the tension spring 108 upon the engagement thereof with the edges of the opening 14. The spring 108 provides for sufficient retraction of the clip fingers 94 and 95 to clear the opening 14 through which they are inserted, after which the clip fingers are released under the action of the tension spring 108 for movement outwardly to the position illustrated in FIG. 1. The detent 114 and the depending portions and 92 prevent further outward movement of the clip fingers 94 and and retain the fingers in the position within the clip assembly housing as shown in FIG. 1. With the coil spring 122 located in compressed relation and with the clip assembly 46 disposed on the opposite side of'the plate 12 so that the projecting portions of the clip fingers 94, 95 engage the plate 12, .the holder element 16 is firmly mounted in position on the bracket 10. The lamp 18 may then be easily inserted in position by locating one end of the lamp in a fixed socket and then depressing the holder element 16 to the left against the action of the spring 122, as seen in FIG. 1. When the holder element 16 is shifted to the left the body portion 24 will be moved through the opening 14 a .sufiicient distance to enable the terminal plug 19 of the lamp 18 to be inserted into the recess 28 of the holder element 16. When sufficient contact has been established between the terminal strips 20, 22 of the lamp 18 and the contact elements 36, and 38, the holder element 16 may be released for movement by the spring 122 to the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The lamp 18 is now firmly mounted in position between the holder element 16 and the fixed holder and in the sockets thereof.

It is understood that the holder element 16 may be removed from the assembled position thereof by squeezing the clip fingers 94 and 95 inwardly, whereupon the body portion 24 of the holder element may then be withdrawn through the opening 14.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made Without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept, and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described, except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a holder for mounting a fluorescent lamp in lamp fixture, a bracket mounted on said fixture and having an opening formed therein, a holder element including a body portion to which an enlarged flange portion is integrally joined at one end thereof, said body portion being shaped and proportioned for slidably interfitting in the opening in said bracket, contact members fixed in said body portion and extending into a recess formed in said flange portion for engagement by the contacts of the fluorescent lamp that is adapted to be mounted on said holder element, a clip assembly secured to the outer end of said body portion and including a housing in which opposed clip fingers are positioned for limiting movement in a direction that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of said holder element, means located in said housing for normally biasing said clip fingers in an outward direction, and a coil spring enveloping said body portion and projecting outwardly beyond the outer end thereof, said coil spring being adapted to engage said bracket for urging said holder element away therefrom, whereby pressure exerted on said holder element will force the body portion thereof through the opening in said bracket against the action of said coil spring, the configuration of said clip fingers permitting insertion thereof through said opening after which said clip fingers are urged transversely outwardly by said biasing means to lock said holder element in said bracket with the coil spring being compressed between the flange of said body portion and said bracket.

2. In a holder for mounting 'a fluorescent lamp in a lamp fixture, a bracket mounted on said fixture and having an opening formed therein, a holder element including a body portion to which an enlarged flange portion is integrally joined, said body portion being shaped and proportioned for slidably interfitting in the opening in said bracket, contact elements fixed in said body portion and extending into said flange portion for electrical engagement with contacts of the fluorescent lamp that is adapted to be mounted on said holder element, a clip assembly secured to said body portion at the outer end thereof and including clip fingers that are mounted for limited movement in a direction that is transverse with respect to the longitudinal axis of said holder element, means interposed between said clip fingers for urging said fingers in the tranverse direction, and a coil spring for exerting a longitudinally directed force on said holder element when said holder element is mounted in said bracket, said clip fingers permitting insertion thereof with said body portion through said opening after which said clip fingers are urged transversely outwardly by said urging means to lock said holder element in said bracket.

3. In a holder for mounting a fluorescent lamp in a lamp fixture, a bracket mounted on said fixture, a holder element including a body portion that is adapted to be mounted on said bracket and including an inner end and an outer end, contact elements fixed in said body portion adjacent the inner end thereof for establishing electrical communication with contacts of the fluorescent lamp that is 'adaptedto be mounted on said holder element, a clip assembly secured to said body portion at the outer end thereof and including clip fingers that are mounted for movement in a direction that is transverse with respect to the longitudinal axis of said holder element, means interposed between said clip fingers for urging them in the transverse direction thereof, and a coil spring for exerting a longitudinally directed force on said holder element when said holder element is mounted on said bracket, said clip fingers being retractable for insertion thereof through said bracket, after which said clip fingers are forced transversely outwardly by said urging means to lock said holder element to said bracket.

4. In a holder as set forth in claim 3, said clip assembly further including a housing the axis of which is transverse to the longitudinal axis of said holder element, said clip fingers being located in said housing and extending outwardly therefrom at opposed ends, said urging means being defined by a tension spring that is located in said housing between said clip fingers for urging said clip fingers in the transverse outer direction.

5. In a holder .as set forth in claim 4, a transversely extending recess being formed in the outer end of said body portion for receiving the clip assembly housing, said housing including slot means and said clip fingers being formed with detents that are movable in said slot means and that limit outer movement of said clip fingers by engagement with the ends of said slot means. I

6. In a holder as set forth in claim 5, a cover secured to said housing and being formed with outwardly extending ears through which securing elements extend, said securing elements being secured to said body portion for securing said clip assembly thereto.

7. In a holder as set forth in claim 4, the outermost ends of said clip fingers being angularly formed, and said bracket including an opening for receiving said body portion in close fitting sliding relation, said angularly formed clip fingers providing for insertion thereof in said opening and preventing withdrawal thereof from said opening after the insertion of said clip finger therein.

8. In a holder as set forth in claim 7, said holder element including an enlarged flange portion that is joined to said body portion at the inner end thereof, said coil spring enveloping said body portion and engaging said flange portion, said coil spring thereby being compressed, between said flange portion and said bracket when said holder element is locked to said bracket.

9. In a holder for mounting a fluorescent lamp in a lamp fixture, a bracket mounted on said fixture and having an opening formed therein, a holder element including a body portion and 'a flange portion, said body portion being shaped and proportioned for insertion in said opening in close fitting relation, contact elements fixed in a recess in said flange portion for receiving a terminal portion of the fluorescent lamp, and a clip asembly for mounting said holder element on said bracket, said clip assembly including a housing that is located in a transverse recess formed in the outer end of said body portion, clip fingers disposed in said housing and projecting outwardly from opposed ends thereof, a tension spring located in said housing between said clip fingers and normally urging said clip fingers to an outer position, means formed on said clip fingers and cooperating with said housing for limiting outer movement of said clip fingers, and a coil spring enveloping said body portion and engaging said bracket and flange portion for exerting a longitudinally directed force on said holder element when said holder element is mounted in said bracket, wherein said holder is firmly re- 7 8 tained in position in said bracket, said clip fingers being References Cited by'the Examiner retractable against the action of said tension spring tor UNITED' STATES PATENTS lnsertlon through the openlng in said bracket, after which said clip fingers are forced transversely outwardly by said 1,646,807 10/1927 Benlamm 339 '91 tension spring to lock said holder element to said bracket. 3,116,098 12/1963 Kulka 339128 X 1 lnlatholder as sgt fothlin cilaim 9, saliddhousgnig il'tl- FOREIGN PATENTS c u mg s 0 means an sai 0 1p ngers inc u mg e en s formed thereon that are received in said slot means, the 1178515 9/1964 Germany end of said slot means defining the outer lirnit of move- BOBBY R GAY, Primary Examiner. ment by said clip fingers in a transverse dlrection as urged I thereto by said tension spring, 10 W. DONALD MILLER, Examiner. 

1. IN A HOLDER FOR MOUNTING A FLUORESCENT LAMP IN LAMP FIXTURE A BRACKET MOUNTED ON SAID FIXTURE AND HAVING AN OPENING FORMED THEREIN, A HOLDER ELEMENT INCLUDING A BODY PORTION TO WHICH AN ENLARGED FLANGE PORTION IS INTEGRALLY JOINED AT ONE END THEREOF, SAID BODY PORTION BEING SHAPED AND PROPORTIONED FOR SLIDABLY INTERFITTING IN THE OPENING IN SAID BRACKET, CONTACT MEMBERS FIXED IN SAID BODY PORTION AND EXTENDING INTO A RECESS FORMED IN SAID FLANGE PORTION FOR ENGAGEMENT BY THE CONTACTS OF THE FLUORESCENT LAMP THAT IS ADAPTED TO BE MOUNTED ON SAID HOLDER ELEMENT, A CLIP ASSEMBLY SECURED TO THE OUTER END OF SAID BODY PORTION AND INCLUDING A HOUSING IN WHICH OPPOSED CLIP FINGERS ARE POSITION FOR LIMITING MOVEMENT IN A DIRECTION THAT IS TRANSVERSE TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID HOLDER ELEMENTS, MEANS LOCATED IN SAID HOUSING FOR NORMALLY BIASING SAID CLIP FINGERS IN AN OUTWARD DIRECTION, AND A COIL SPRING ENVELOPING SAID BODY PORTION AND PRO- 